Our Studio

Richard Kirk

Director - LFRAIA Hon. AIA

Richard Kirk LFRAIA is the Principal Director of KIRK, formerly Richard Kirk Architect, which he established in 1995 after graduating from the University of Queensland in 1991 with first-class Honours. Richard’s noted academic achievements (QIA Memorial Medal and the Board of Architects Award for Academic Excellence) provide an intellectual basis for the foundation and direction of the practice, which now has studios located in Brisbane, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. Richard is recognised for creating advanced sustainable buildings and places.

Richard is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland, and Councilor for Region 4 of the International Union of Architects (UIA). He has served as National President and National Awards Director for the Australian Institute of Architects and is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects.

Richard Kirk has established the practice as a leader in designing buildings of cultural significance on sensitive and important sites, with the majority of its commissions awarded through design competitions. Achievements include winning first prize in design competitions for the University of Queensland’s flagship buildings: the Advanced Engineering Building & UQ Business School; and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Learning Hub North Spine.

KIRK’s portfolio is diverse encompassing all project types and master planning. Notable works include the Advanced Engineering Building (AEB) at the University of Queensland, which exemplifies his dedication to sustainability as Australia’s largest naturally ventilated building and one of the first to use engineered timber structure at scale. The holistic approach to the integration of technology and sustainable design in the AEB is a hallmark of the practice’s work.

Richard’s commitment to the profession through advocacy and practice remains a hallmark of his career.

Dr. Andrew Magub

Principal - FRAIA Technical Director - Sport Technical Director - Defence

Dr Andrew Magub joined KIRK in 2016 in the role of Principal.

Andrew trained in architecture at the Queensland University of Technology, the University of North London, and in Project Management at the Queensland University of Technology. After graduation, of his first degree, Andrew worked in Cleveland, USA; London, United Kingdom; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Andrew is an Architect / Project Manager with over 30 years of major project experience through USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, China, and extensively in Australia. He has worked on a large selection of project types from feasibilities, masterplans, overlays, reviews, small extensions of existing facilities, through to complete new major facilities.

Andrew brings a substantial level of major, international sports and event architecture experience with involvements on sports infrastructure around the globe and including 3 Olympic games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008). He has an in depth knowledge of the technical and briefing requirements of sports and event facilities as well as global trends in these venues and industries.

Andrew is also a recognised expert in ballistic, high security and Defence/Defence Industry projects. Many of these project involvements have been in technical, high-tech, sovereign capability projects where a first principals approach is required. Andrew is a recognised expert in Firing Range and Sovereign Defence Manufacturing facilities.

Andrew’s recent project expertise includes Mass Engineered Timber (MET) projects using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glu-Laminated Timber (GLT) structures. Through his recent completed MET projects, Andrew is considered one of the leading MET Architects in Australia.

Andrew has completed a Master of Project Management, specialising in the procurement of major projects in Australia and New Zealand. He has also completed his PhD in construction management investigating the use of the internet for information sharing on construction projects. These specialist areas of research are unique and allows a further level of professional advice and management to clients

Brendan Pointon

Principal

Brendan re-joined KIRK, as a Principal in 2022, having a long-standing connection to the Brisbane studio.

Brendan is a registered Queensland architect, with over 28 years’ experience designing and implementing projects of the highest quality. Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) and Bachelor of Build Environment from the Queensland University of Technology.

Brendan's experience spans scales and sectors, both as project architect and design lead, with a consistent quality of design and delivery of projects. His commitment to design excellence manifests in tailored, site-specific solutions that bind the programmatic requirements of the brief to the cultural and environmental context of the site. Brendan is committed to delivering solutions which are both commercially and environmentally sustainable, while never losing sight of the ultimate goal – to create inspiring and enduring design solutions that bring delight and richness to the private and public domain.

Brendan's extensive professional career spans a wide range of architectural sectors including Education, Master Planning, Urban Design, Commercial, Residential Care, Multi-Res, Cultural and Public.

Jonathan Ward

Associate

Jonathan is a registered Architect with over 10 years of experience in professional practice, and an Associate at Richard Kirk Architect.

Jonathan’s experience includes a wide variety of education, public, residential commercial, cultural, and master planning projects. He has been a team leader on several projects including the James Cook University Technology Innovation Complex (JCU TIC), and the NTU North Spine Learning Hub in Singapore, awarded through an international competition. Previously, Jonathan has worked at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), a leading AJ100 listed London based practice.

Jonathan is skilled in the execution and documentation of a range of project types throughout project bid submission, brief development, design, documentation and procurement. He has overseen the management of consultancy teams, documentation processes and liaison with clients and key stakeholders. Jonathan has proficient knowledge in the use of technology in a range of platforms, including Building Information Modelling, to deliver high quality design outcomes throughout all project phases.

Jonathan is responsible for the management and guidance of practice personnel, and for the management of practice quality assurance systems.

Jonathan completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Queensland in 2011. During his studies Jonathan’s academic performance was consistently recognised with the Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement Award. Upon graduation Jonathan was awarded the Karl and Gertrude Langer Memorial Design Prize and the John Simpson Book Prize.

Shahriman Aziz

Senior Project Architect

Shahriman is a qualified architect registered with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia with over eighteen years of experience in professional practice. He trained in architecture at Universiti Teknologi MARA.

Shahriman has a wealth of experience running projects and teams from feasibility through to site across a variety of scales. He has significant experience delivering large-scale Educational and Commercial projects with specialist technical input, specific end-user involvement and complex briefing requirements. He has been a team leader on several projects, including the recently completed Sunway International School in Sunway City.

Since joining KIRK, Shahriman has been assisting in leading our project at the prestigious Garden International School, owned by Taylor's Education Group. The project has recently started on site and includes a new Sports Complex and Performing Arts Centre.

He is a firm believer in an environmentally and socially sustainable architecture process and has experience in user consultation and stakeholder engagement from community groups to broad-level management.